Sochi 2014 Roster Predictions

With the 2010 Vancouver Games now over and done with, and assuming that the NHL allows its players to compete in the 2014 Sochi Winter Games, does anyone want to take a crack at predicting the rosters (Canada, USA, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, etc.) for this tournament?

What amazes me about this potential 2014 roster is that there are so many young players who could crossover from 2010 to 2014. Of course, predicting a tournament four years in advance is pretty futile, but here it is anyhow:

What amazes me about this potential 2014 roster is that there are so many young players who could crossover from 2010 to 2014. Of course, predicting a tournament four years in advance is pretty futile, but here it is anyhow:

??? Given the way he played with Crosby and Nash in their few shifts together in the Norway game, this line combination would not happen. And, given his overall play this Olympics, Bergeron is already a long-shot to make the 2014 team. The guy can (and probably will) improve, but his performance over the last two weeks has to be a knock against him already...

I don't see how you can possibly start predicting rosters 4 years in advance....lol In 4 years there are going to be guys in the NHL for those countries you mentioned who have just barely started their junior careers or aren't even in the NHL yet. I wouldn't even know where to begin with predicting a single player for any of the rosters 4 years from now.

I don't see how you can possibly start predicting rosters 4 years in advance....lol In 4 years there are going to be guys in the NHL for those countries you mentioned who have just barely started their junior careers or aren't even in the NHL yet. I wouldn't even know where to begin with predicting a single player for any of the rosters 4 years from now.

What amazes me about this potential 2014 roster is that there are so many young players who could crossover from 2010 to 2014. Of course, predicting a tournament four years in advance is pretty futile, but here it is anyhow:

I don't see how you can possibly start predicting rosters 4 years in advance....lol In 4 years there are going to be guys in the NHL for those countries you mentioned who have just barely started their junior careers or aren't even in the NHL yet. I wouldn't even know where to begin with predicting a single player for any of the rosters 4 years from now.

lol back in '06 no one would've listed Toews or Doughty to be on 2010's roster.

??? Given the way he played with Crosby and Nash in their few shifts together in the Norway game, this line combination would not happen. And, given his overall play this Olympics, Bergeron is already a long-shot to make the 2014 team. The guy can (and probably will) improve, but his performance over the last two weeks has to be a knock against him already...

Yeah surely 4 years from now there will be better options than guys like Bergeron, Penner, Sharp, Bolland, and maybe Lucic. That just looks like a team where if you were to make a team Canada today while cutting the SJ line, Morrow, and all the last minute cuts like Lecavailer, St. Louis, Doan, Smyth, Savard, Spezza, etc.

Many of those players will still be kicking around at a high level for Socchi. In addition, there are plenty of great players under 25 playing in the NHL of various value that could still break out and make an impact like: Tavares, Duchene, Zajac, Horton, Neal, J.Staal, C.Stewart, Gagner, Giroux, Perron, Benn, Brassard, Bailey, Little, E.Kane, Setoguchi, Boychuk, Bozak, etc. Plus a number of hot shot prospects that will soon be making the NHL and could have an outside shot at making it like Hall, Hodgson, Eberle, and Schenn.

Rather than penciling in a full line up I think you can only realistically look at who will make up the core of the team, which is likely: Crosby, Staal, Nash, Toews, Getzlaf, Perry, Stamkos, and Richards. So something like:

What amazes me about this potential 2014 roster is that there are so many young players who could crossover from 2010 to 2014. Of course, predicting a tournament four years in advance is pretty futile, but here it is anyhow:

Tavares Crosby Carter
E.Staal Getzlaf Nash
Richards Toews Stamkos
Lucic J. Staal ??Bolland??
those are the ones I'd venture are highly likely... who knows how they get bumped and which other forwards enter the mix... does Morrow return for grit and leadership? How will Eberle/Hall/Seguin develop?